Ready for the chili cookoff this weekend?

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the Aug. 31 event

The Evening Sun — File Photo
Allen Kuhn, left, and Matt Albright stir up some chili at the 18th annual Chili Cookoff last year. With teams from North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia and Maryland, more than 10,000 people are expected to attend the Aug. 31 event, surpassing last year's rough count of 7,000.

THE EVENING SUN — SHANE DUNLAP
Brett Baker, right, of Dillsburg, Andrew Gastley, of Hanover, and John Trunnell, left, of Hanover, finish off the last of their peppers during the pepper eating contest at the 18th annual Hanover Chili Cookoff..

The best kind of chili is one that's already cooked and ready to be eaten, said Matt Albright, co-owner of 3 Hogs BBQ in Hanover. But the next best thing is a chili recipe you created and made yourself, he said.

Albright and Allen Kuhn, the second co-owner of 3 Hogs Chili, have been spending almost every day in the kitchen perfecting their red chili, open chili and salsa recipes for Hanover's 19th Annual Chili Cookoff.

Already with eight trophies to their team name, they plan to take home even more awards this year to put on the shelf of their new restaurant.

"When we began competing seven years ago, we were just two guys who didn't know what they were doing," Albright said. "We basically showed up with a tent and a table and didn't even have a sign. Now, we're serious competition."

The key to their winning streak, besides the flavor Kuhn said, is the side fixings they offer at their station, including cheddar cheese, chopped white onion and homemade cornbread. Because, he asked, who doesn't love cornbread?

Each of the 3 Hog recipes used in competition this year is also served at the restaurant, so it's even more important to represent, Albright said.

There are already 25 teams registered for the Chili Cookoff, and the event committee is still expecting more, said committee member Ron Bean. With teams from North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia and Maryland, the Aug. 31 event just might be the biggest yet, Bean said.

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the event, surpassing last year's rough count of 7,000, Bean added.

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"You get to sample all-you-can-eat chili, listen to music all day long and hang out with your friends," Bean said, who's worked the event since year one. "There's just so much to do."

2) Heat a cup of vegetable oil in a large pot over low heat. Add bacon and let sit for five minutes as it renders. Mix in chopped jalapeno and let sit for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onion and pepper combination and let the mixture cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3) Add a mixture of seasonings to taste; continue to season throughout the cooking process.